At tonight's Greenwood Leflore Hospital Board of Trustees meeting, Harris "Ricky" Powers Jr. was elected the new Board chairman.

The Board also welcomed its newest member, Hank Hargrove, appointed by Mayor Carolyn McAdams and confirmed by the city council. As of now, the Board of Trustees consists of Ricky Powers (chairman), Emma Bell, Freddie White-Johnson, Marcus Banks, and Hank Hargrove.

Board member Emma Bell nominated Freddie White-Johnson for Board Chairman, and White-Johnson seconded the motion, but it failed to muster the three votes necessary for passage.

Powers was then nominated by Marcus Banks, Greenwood fire chief and board member, and his motion was seconded by Hank Hargrove. Mr. Powers was elected chairman with three votes.

The Board presented a plaque to outgoing board member Sammy Foster for his 20 years of service on the Board.

The Board went into executive session to approve some physician contracts and to hire a lawyer, the purpose of which was not explained to the public.